For Every Private Malone Who Didn’t Come Home, We Honor Your Sacrifice
“Riding With Private Malone” by David Ball is a moving country song that tells the story of a man who purchases a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette and discovers it once belonged to a soldier named Private Andrew Malone. Inside the glove compartment, the new owner finds a note from Malone, dated 1966, stating that if the note is being read, it means he didn’t make it home from the Vietnam War. Malone wished for his beloved car to find a new owner if he died in service.
As the man restores the car, he experiences eerie occurrences, such as the radio mysteriously tuning itself to an oldies station and seeing visions of Malone’s ghost in the passenger seat. The song reaches a dramatic moment when the narrator crashes the car in a rainstorm and is saved by an unknown soldier, whom he believes to be Private Malone’s spirit. The song underscores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of fallen soldiers.
The song was co-written by Wood Newton and Thom Shepherd. Newton, influenced by his experiences during the Vietnam War era and urban legends about haunted cars, brought these elements into the song. They selected a 1966 Corvette due to its status as an American icon. After several writing sessions, they finalized the song, which David Ball discovered during a songwriter’s show in Nashville. Despite initial concerns about its length and unconventional structure, the song became a significant hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 2001.
David Ball, born on July 9, 1953, is an American country music artist known for his traditional country sound and baritone voice. He achieved early success with his debut album “Thinkin’ Problem” in 1994. “Riding With Private Malone” is a standout in Ball’s career, recognized for its compelling narrative and emotional depth, which continue to resonate with country music fans. The song’s powerful storytelling and patriotic themes have cemented its place as a modern classic in country music.
